Natalie Sparks

Designer: Natalie Sparks

Hometown: Gastonia, North Carolina

Email: nmsparks@ncsu.edu

Collection Title: Royal Regency

Bio

Natalie Marie Sparks is a senior studying Fashion and Textile Management – Fashion Development and Product Management. Natalie was first introduced to hand sewing by her mother, to whom she owes her love of sewing. Over the years, Natalie loved to drape and hand sew clothes for her American Girl Doll and sketch clothes in the margins of school worksheets and notebooks. When she was a sophomore in high school, her first theatre director taught her how to use a sewing machine in costuming class where Natalie began sewing small projects. Then, as a junior in high school, Natalie was requested to be a Co-Designer for her theatre’s first musical, Beauty and the Beast, by her second theatre director. Natalie had the privilege of designing the “silly Girls” and the “kitchen” characters such as the whisk, measuring spoons, napkins, plates, silverware, etc. which allowed her to design costumes by thinking “outside the box”. It was then that her second director suggested that Natalie pursue a career in fashion design. During Natalie’s senior year, she was the Head Fashion Designer for their second musical, The Wizard of Oz. Natalie designed many of the costumes among her own. Natalie used a sewing pattern for the first time and made her first full garment, her “Dorothy Gale” costume for the musical. Since becoming a freshman at NC State, it has been Natalie’s dream to be a part of the Threads Senior Collection Showcase. Designing and sewing dresses is one of her passions and she has loved every second. Upon graduation in May, Natalie plans to pursue a career as a fashion designer in the bridal and formalwear industry.

Collection Concept

You are standing in the midst of a crowded room surrounded by elaborate dresses and chatter. In the background, music from a string quartet floats to your ears. They are performing songs for dancing, yet you stand alone near a wall, like a forgotten statue stands in an old museum. The candlelight is dim, softly casting shadows around the room. You sweep your eyes across the space when suddenly you see him. He’s staring at you from across the room with a steady gaze, his eyes unwavering from your face. Many pass by him, but he doesn’t notice. He begins to make the journey to you through the sea of people. You begin to look around, confused, as he stops just an arm’s length from you. You’re unable to read his expression, and you tell yourself you are imagining the glint of hope in his eyes. A tension fills the air as your hands brush. “May I have the honor of this dance?” he asks. Your lips form a smile as you slowly accept his outstretched hand. The tumultuous background noise is drowned out as you both slowly glide across the dance floor. It seems as if there is no one else around.
The Royal Regency collection is characterized by elegance and grace. It is a modern take on beloved elements of the Regency Era. Inspired by tantalizing love confessions and stolen glances, this collection aims to give the present-day a taste of the allure of the past. From standing in the pouring rain to dancing at a glamorous ball, this collection has an outfit for every occasion. The Royal Regency collection is intended for any woman to step into a whirlwind of fantasy, excitement, and class, elevating any experience to the level of royalty. When life feels as if it is in need of magic and fate, choose a garment from the collection, Royal Regency, by Natalie Marie.